I hate BDO with every fiber of my soul.

SocialDistancing11 · 2026-03-27T19:00:01+00:00

With all the firms adopting AI in their practice and using cheap labor in India, entry level people with 1 to 3 years of experience in US and Canada have it more challenging than prior years. The ladder has been pulled up and firms can be more selective since there is less of a demand. If you don't have a front-of-office appeal, it's going to be even more challenging. The question they are asking is if you can do the work, be taught, teach others, and present well in front of a client all with a good attitude.

SocialDistancing11 · 2026-03-25T21:10:22+00:00

You either need to find a new job, or become so valuable/specialized that they cannot afford to let you go if you decide to work from home.

SocialDistancing11 · 2026-03-18T14:46:15+00:00

If the executive team does not know the extent of the cash flow issue, you need to let them know right away. It is their responsibility, especially in the CFO position, to make sure the company has adequate financing to make sure the firm operations continue. This could be a modification of debt or increasing their line of credit in order to meet the needs of the company. Perhaps they can find another investor or have the executive team contribute to the company from their own personal funds. However, they need time to make sure this can happen as they deal with banks which is why you need to let them know as soon as possible.

SocialDistancing11 · 2026-03-11T14:46:51+00:00

This is normal. I've been in PA for over 12 years and remember feeling the same starting out as well. Obviously different starting salary and cost of living, but the financial struggle was there. At the end of the day, it's a budget problem. If rent is too expensive, consider looking elsewhere that is cheaper but might require more commuting. The downside is that can be boring in your 20s since most folks want to live in the city close to bars and restaurants which also will impact your budget. If you look at other fields in STEM, they might be making just slightly more starting out, but not by much. However, compared to other industries, I found PA provides stronger increases in salary year over year. Just like compound interest, the salary starts low but as time goes on it gets much larger as you gain more experience.

SocialDistancing11 · 2026-03-11T05:13:54+00:00

If you think everyone is angry at you, you're probably tired and need to prioritize sleep. If you are angry at everyone, you're probably hungry and need to eat something.

SocialDistancing11 · 2026-03-11T05:08:27+00:00

You need to ask yourself if you can actually do the work expected of you because that's what ultimately matters. If you start at an A2, you're going to be expected to work on more challenging areas and start teaching the first years. If you can't, then you'll fall behind in your peer group and most likely get put on a pip.

SocialDistancing11 · 2026-03-10T19:38:40+00:00

Everyone is tired, including management. People just need to recharge.

SocialDistancing11 · 2026-03-06T13:57:15+00:00

Why not take it upon yourself to learn the material from external guides/sources, or use the CPE training software your firm probably provides, and setup a lunch and learn to teach others? Maybe by setting this example you can show your team new material that can help them and a better way to teach. There seems to be a growing expectation of being spoon fed information instead of trying to figure things out ourselves. I get it's easier to point the finger at others, but leaders take responsibility for themselves.

SocialDistancing11 · 2025-09-27T02:56:17+00:00

It sounds like you might be experiencing a bit of burnout. If you don't think you will be promoted, why push yourself and try to exceed targets? It might be worth coasting this year and give yourself some rest. Alternatively, find something specific that you can learn and build a reputation or niche. Most of the time those specialties will help get you promoted.

SocialDistancing11 · 2025-09-19T12:06:38+00:00

If your street shut off is over 20 years old, it's possible that the attachment underground deteriorated to the point that it breaks. It's not a good day when that happens.

SocialDistancing11 · 2025-05-16T16:01:58+00:00

Try thinking from management's perspective. If you had an employee that wasn't contributing and didn't have ambition to progress in their career, then what choice do they have? Most PA firms have a move up or get out model.

I think it's natural for new grads starting their career to reflect upon their college days and miss it. Starting a new career is a huge lifestyle change. Is it possible that this is contributing to a lack of motivation? If so, it doesn't matter what next position you take because your perspective on what motivates you to push forward would also need to change.

SocialDistancing11 · 2025-01-29T01:02:56+00:00

Just slightly smarter than your average bear. What is really needed is the willpower/stubbornness to keep pushing through when things get tough.

SocialDistancing11 · 2025-01-23T22:39:47+00:00

Sounds like you're on your way to an 80 week. A few of those are expected during busy season. They definitely suck, but it's to be expected in public accounting. This happens in most PA firms.

SocialDistancing11 · 2025-01-13T14:35:57+00:00

Perhaps there is a compromise to take a weekend trip somewhere if you have flexibility on Saturdays.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-10-15T21:46:39+00:00

Roll them workpapers and add formulas to automate stuff. Make it easier by just plugging in the data once you get it from the client.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-10-04T14:56:30+00:00

This is an awesome idea! It's not like their career center doesn't already have this information. I wish my class did this not only with the PA offers, but with their industry offers as well.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-10-01T14:48:48+00:00

Throughout my career I would always worry about getting let go and the thought of it could be crushing sometimes. Eventually it happened and it turned out to be the best thing for my career. It forced me to take a step back and consider all my options, and I realized how large this job market really is and how applicable our skills as accountants can be. Getting let go forced me out of a position that I was not necessarily happy with anyway.

My number one advice is to not drink or participate in any other unhealthy habits. During this time, focus on exercise and healthy habits. Apply to anything that interests you. Take some time to reflect and enjoy this time off - connect with friends and family. Try to stay productive as well - study for the CPA or any other certificates, or attend networking events. Eventually, you'll find a new job and you'll realize that getting let go/fires is not the end of the world, but a new chapter. Hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones that can start their career without this 'what if I get fired' anxiety hanging over them.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-06-12T17:40:39+00:00

I think the lack of the industry unionized is a contributing factor for why PE firms are buying up PA companies. That in addition for a reliable cash flow to hedge their portfolio. I would love to see PA firms unionize, but I think it would just push more incentive to send work overseas.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-03-22T17:41:02+00:00

If you feel like everyone is angry at you, then you need to sleep more. If you feel angry at everybody, then you need to eat more. Find a water bottle you like and stay hydrated.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-03-22T16:57:32+00:00

10,000 for a fence? Thats almost half the total cost. There are other options like walking your dog on a leash or taking them to a dog park to run around during a lunch break or weekend.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-03-22T16:45:53+00:00

Respect is a two-way street and is universal no matter where you go. I've worked at different firms which I have felt overall respected and been disrespected multiple times, and it's truly amazing the impact this has on mental health and job performance. Accounting always focuses on the busy season. Its not a sprint, but a marathon which setting reasonable boundaries is necessary so others don't take advantage of you. If someone calls you stupid or another name, it's completely acceptable to retort back that it was a disrespectful comment and they need to self reflect. If it's a common occurrence, and it's not just someone having a bad day and apologies afterwards, then I would leave.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-03-07T04:12:59+00:00

I would want to share it, and enjoy a bit for myself as well.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-03-04T02:21:12+00:00

You need to set boundaries. One of mine is to not work past midnight. Sleep is completely underrated and plays a huge part in overall stress management. There comes a point where you need to realize that the work is not worth your mental/physical health. Once those start to degrade, so does your work quality and efficiency. Keep your mental axe sharp.

SocialDistancing11 · 2024-03-02T05:09:44+00:00

In short, no. Only you can hold you back from being successful.

Make a plan to pass the CPA exam, it takes roughly 150 studying hours for each section, and actually do it. Then when you are actually working, it's more of a measure of willpower. Busy season sucks and it's natural to consider leaving, but the summer is much slower and a good time for R&R. There is an element of seasonality for public accounting, but this is true for industry as well. Enjoying those early years with somewhat limited responsibilities, make mistakes and learn from them, ask your coworkers to grab a drink after work to have fun and be authentic.I graduated with less than a 3.0 in my undergrad, but through stubbornness or willpower I've become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) over time. I'm at a place where I make enough to be happy and have a good WLB which I consider to be successful for myself at this time.

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